Riding your bike cuts down on pollution while giving you a workout and a bit of relaxation. That relaxation, however, can quickly turn to frustration if you end up lost, stuck in construction or riding perilously close to a semi that's belching black smoke. Whether you're cycling across the country or a few miles across town, you'll be better off if you plan your route for the safest and most enjoyable biking possible.
Old-Fashioned Mapping
A map is your best friend when it comes to planning a bicycle route, as it's tough to get from point A to point B if you have no idea how to get there. Old-fashioned street maps will give you a general sense of direction, but may not offer the specifics you need. Bike maps are often available from your city or county, especially if your area has a bicycle and pedestrian program. One example is the Pima County Pedestrian and Bicycle Program, which covers one of the nation's bicycling hot spots of Tucson, Ariz. The organization offers regularly updated bike maps, noting all the bike paths, as well as manuals, newsletters and other local bicycling information.
Newfangled Mapping
If paper maps are too passé for your tastes, the Internet is crawling with websites that help automatically plan your bike route anywhere in the nation -- or the world. Discovery's Planet Green offers some up on its website, ranging from the general Map My Ride website to the hyper local. Southern California bicyclists have Bike Metro as a resource, while New York City cyclists can check out routes at NYC Bike Maps. In addition to letting you pick your own route, some sites also give you suggested routes, nearby bike paths, a training log to gauge your progress, and forums where you can share ideas, experiences and information with fellow bikers.
Steer Clear
Ideal bicycle routes avoid certain headaches and hazards, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pointing out some of those hassles on its "Bikeability Checklist." Steer clear of areas that don't have adequate room for bicycles, such as roads with no paved shoulders or bike lanes; narrow bridges or tunnels; or bike lanes or paths that abruptly disappear. High-traffic areas, especially those teeming with trucks and buses, are also hazardous, as are areas with poor lighting. Construction zones, potholes, rumble strips, sharp turns or routes with too many hills can also take some of the joy out of your ride.
Direct Not Always Best
The most direct route to a destination is not always the ideal route for biking, Discovery's Planet Green warns. It's better to add extra mileage to your route than to pedal down some unsafe and high-traffic lanes. Keep an eye out for little-used side streets or even bike paths along the way that will not only keep you safer, but will likely be a lot more pleasant than trying to desperately pedal on gravel on the side of a road next to a high-speed and stench-belching semi.
References
- U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Bikeability Checklist
- Pima County Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program: Maps, Publications, Manuals and More
- Discovery Planet Green: Easy, Safe Bike Routes
- Discovery Planet Green: Commute to Work by Bike
Member Comments